419 scam: "Volkswagen MOTORS WORLDWIDE LTD"<info@vm.com> Internet User Encouragement Promotions

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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

The so-called "419" scam is a type of fraud dominated by criminals from Nigeria and other countries in Africa. Victims of the scam are promised a large amount of money, such as a lottery prize, inheritance, money sitting in some bank account, etc.

Victims never receive this non-existent fortune but are tricked into sending their money to the criminals, who remain anonymous. They hide their real identity and location by using fake names and fake postal addresses as well as communicating via anonymous free email accounts and mobile phones.

Keep in mind that scammers DO NOT use their real names when defrauding people.
The criminals either abuse names of real people or companies or invent names or addresses.
Any real people or companies mentioned below have NO CONNECTION to the scammers!

Read more about such scams here or in our 419 FAQ. Use the Scam-O-Matic to verify suspect emails.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

This email uses a separate reply address that is different from the sender address. Spammers use this to get replies even when the original spam sending accounts have been shut down. Also, sometimes the sender addresses are legitimate looking but fake and only the reply address is actually an email account controlled by the scammers.
The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "dear sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
- "claim agent" (real lotteries do not use a "claim agent" / "fiduciary agent")
- "claims agent" (real lotteries do not use a "claim agent" / "fiduciary agent")
- "robertosalmon.vm@gmx.com" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
This email message is a fake lottery scam. Consider the following facts about real lotteries:
1. They don't notify winners by email.
2. You can't win without first buying a lottery ticket.
3. They don't randomly select email addresses to award prizes to.
4. They don't use free email accounts (Yahoo, Hotmail, etc) to communicate with you.
5. They don't tell you to call a mobile phone number.
6. They don't tell you to keep your winnings secret.
7. They will never ask a winner to pay any fees to receive a prize!
This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
- +447031814928 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)

Fraud email example:

From: "Volkswagen MOTORS WORLDWIDE LTD" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <robertosalmon.vm@gmx.com>
Date: Mon, 11 Apr 2011 07:45:51 +0100
Subject: Internet User Encouragement Promotions

Volkswagen MOTORS WORLDWIDE LTD.
Internet User Encouragement Promotions
VW Motors

CONGRATULATIONS!!

Dear Sir/Madam

Please be informed that all participants in this VW Motors Email Lottery promotion program have been
selected randomly through a computer ballot system drawn from over 50 companies and 100,000 individual e-mail addresses.This VW Motors Email Lottery promotion is Organized by the host country in collaboration with FIFA. Funds for the draws have been contributed by the major sponsors of the games which include
adidas,Hyundai,FujiFilm,MasterCard,Gillette,Cocacola,Emirates Air, Continental,Toshiba,Mcdonalds and a host of others. Due to the computer mix up of some numbers and email contacts, we ask that you keep this award strictly from public notice until your claim has been processed and your money remitted.

This is part of our security protocol to avoid double claiming or unscrupulous acts by participants of this program. Also find all other relevant VW Motors Email Lottery promotion Information below:Ref No: FL/668530092 Batch No:45301/14/FIFA06/FL Zonal Draw No: IMSA2-040 Grand Draw No: P93VWJ You have
therefore been approved for a lump sum pay out of £850,000 GBP (EIGHT HUNDRED & FIFTY THOUSAND POUNDS). in cash credited to file No:LP/26510460037/02. For due Processing and remittance of your prize money,remember that you must contact your claim Agent NOT later than TWO weeks from notice.After this date, all funds will be returned as unclaimed.

NOTE:In order to avoid unnecessary delays and complications, please remember to Quote your reference and batch numbers in every one of your correspondences.Furthermore, should there be any change of your address, do inform your claims agent as soon as possible. Congratulations again from all our staff and thank you for being part of our Promotions program.

You are to call your claims agent assigned for your claims, or send an email to them, you are to provide to your agents the below under listed information as soon as possible:

1. NAME IN FULL:
2. ADDRESS (IN FULL):
3. NATIONALITY:
4. AGE:
5. SEX:
6. OCCUPATION (POSITION HELD):
7. HOME/MOBILE & FAX NUMBER:

Sincerely,
Roberto Rene Salmon
Tel: +447031814928
Email: robertosalmon.vm@gmx.com

(Programs & Events).
Material Copyright © 2011 The VW Co. Ltd

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam